Under a unique ’timeshare’ agreement, Beckham will stay at AC Milan until the end of this season before returning to the United States to play for the Galaxy between July and October.

The 33-year-old will then head back to Italy in November to play out the rest of the 2009/10 Serie A campaign with Milan.

“I’m sure there will be a certain amount of criticism because people won’t understand why I want to stay here but we will have to see,” Beckham said.

“Real football people will say ’He’s passionate about playing for his country and knows what he needs to do to have the chance of playing in the World Cup.’

“To make myself available for 2010 I know what I have to do.

“The manager (Fabio Capello) always said I need to play at the highest level and this is one of the highest in Europe.

“Nothing is guaranteed in life and we have a lot of young players coming through, but I need to make sure I’ve given myself the best chance to be involved in it.”

Asked if he would definitely retire after the World Cup in South Africa, Beckham added on Sky Sports News: “No, I love playing for my country and I want to play as long as possible. I will be 35 by then but we will wait and see.

“A lot of people doubted me when I came back to play here, saying I wouldn’t get a game or any time on the pitch. Hopefully I’ve surprised a few people and I feel I’ve got a good few years left in me.”